Kevin Lawrence, Bandmate of Axl Rose in Rapidfire, Dies at 51

Sad news to report as another rock veteran has passed away. Kevin Lawrence, who played guitar in the band Rapidfire alongside Axl Rose, has died at age 51.

Rapidfire was the first band Axl Rose recorded with upon moving to Hollywood in 1983. Going under his given name, Bill Bailey, Rose lent his voice to Rapidfire's sole EP, Ready to Rumble. Kevin Lawrence played lead guitar for Rapidfire, but the band didn't last long and Axl would go on to found Hollywood Rose and eventually Guns N' Roses.

Rapidfire's Ready to Rumble EP wasn't made commercially available until late 2014 due to legal action by Axl Rose's lawyers preventing its release. Fans reacted positively to the EP, which can still be purchased through Amazon.

Rapidfire's Facebook page broke the news of Lawrence's death in a recent post:

To all Friends, Fans and Supporters of Kevin Lawrence and his band, Rapidfire,Kevin loved you all. He was constantly...

Facebook posts from those close to Kevin Lawrence were discovered by Metal Sludge. The tributes detail Lawrence suffering from two heart attacks and lapsing into a coma, remaining on life support for a short time before passing away on Jan. 14.

We'd like to send our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Kevin Lawrence. To remember his music, check out some of Rapidfire's work below.